FBI warns Target malware breach is just the beginning

Security remains a major topic of conversation with every decision that is made in the IT channel. In many circles right now, the focus is on the malware that was behind the breach of Target and several other retailers last year. Now that it has been brought to light, it is easy to think it will never happen again. But according to the FBI, retail attacks in this fashion could just be getting started.

This idea comes from a recent report put out by the FBI. The three-page document warns of the rising risk of “memory-parsing” malware that infects point-of-sale systems.

“We believe POS malware crime will continue to grow over the near term, despite law enforcement and security firms’ actions to mitigate it,” the FBI report reads. “The accessibility of the malware on underground forums, the affordability of the software and the huge potential profits to be made from retail POS systems in the United States make this type of financially motivated cyber crime attractive to a wide range of actors.”

The report goes on to say that versions of the malware are available on the black market and can be tweaked, making it more difficult for businesses to stay in front of threats.

More retailers need to step outside of their comfort zone and improve IT security. In many cases, this will mean partnering with VARs or MSPs to help combat these threats. VAR Staffing helps quality solution providers identify and recruit impactful talent needed to protect enterprises from these attacks.